Insight Body & Mind Women’s Match Preview: Can The Royals Back Up Their Statement Win?

Please note the change of venue to Egan Lee Reserve in Knoxfield.

The Royals women are flying high this week, off the back of a remarkable 7-1 shellacking of Box Hill United. The league leaders have been dispatched handily. Now, another test arrives in the form of a side who convincingly bested them in Round 2.

Boroondara are a difficult side to pin down. They looked the team to beat early doors, winning five of their first six league games – including a 3-1 victory over the Royals at Egan Lee Reserve. But a midseason run of three consecutive defeats to Victory, Bulleen and Avondale saw them dip back into the chasing pack.

The midseason arrival of Rosie Rodger from Bulleen has helped reignite their campaign, while leading scorer Sarah Brunner has broken a 5-game drought. Consecutive victories over Keilor Park and Melbourne City have the Eagles back in contention, just one point behind Essendon.

The Royals’ own midseason signings have already made their presence felt, with Grace Maher returning with a goal, and new signing Maggie Jenkins already setting the NPLW alight. The New Zealander already has five goals to her name in only 81 minutes of league action.

Recent history favours Boroondara, who have won four of their last five against Essendon. But the display at Cross Keys over the weekend was enough to send a shiver up the spine of the rest of the competition. Strikers Kelli McGroarty and Jenkins bagged five between them. Akeisha Sandhu set up four goals with her laser-guided crossing.

With Bulleen facing a potential banana skin against Avondale, Jaiden van der Heijden’s side could have an opportunity to close that two-point gap.

Sunday, 3pm at Egan Lee Reserve.

Forza Royals.